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SPOTLIGHT 346

20/04/2012 11:19

the Spot Light #346

d.d. Monday, April 23rd, 2012

NEW RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

VIBRAVOID - GRAVITY ZERO (LP/SULATRON) This superb title from Vibravoid's impressive catalogue is available again on black vinyl. Includes great self penned trips and a spectacular version of H.P. Lovecraft's 'The White Ship'.

CAVEMEN V - DON'T PLAY WITH ME (7"/SOUNDFLAT) A wild and energetic garage band from Lyon, made up of (ex-)members of such notorious combo's as The Buttshakers, Slow Sushy Boys, Cortona and Lost Boys. The A-side is a trashy garage-punker with a touch of horror. On the equally enjoyable flip you get the surf inspired 'Zombie Hop', including a crazy sax solo in the middle section. Cool!

CYCLOPS - EYE CAN'T TAKE IT (7"/BACHELOR) The Cyclops hail from Cyclops Island and their line-up includes Jonny Cat from The Chemicals and Portland based punk label Jonnycat Records, and Tina Lucchesi from Trashwomen, The Bobbyteens and tons of other illustrious bands. Expect stripped down punk songs, featuring guitar, drums, simple lyrics and a lot of shouting! According to the musicians themselves they have only one eye and hardly more brain cells. But that's more than enough to make dumb fun garage punk!

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

PANTA REI - THE NAKED TRUTH (LP/MELLOTRONEN) Panta Rei is the name of a highly rated Swedish progressive rock band from the '70s. Their self titled sole album was released in 1973 on the Harvest label and is widely recognized as a classic. This Panta Rei vinyl release, 'The Naked Truth', features previously unreleased tracks and alternative versions. Limited edition of 500 copies.

EXPECTED RELEASES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

ALAMAAILMAN VASARAT - VALTA (CD/NORDIC NOTES) Alamaailman Vasarat (which translates to Hammers Of The Underworld) is a Finnish group that performs horny and punky "secret agent brass music". Their instruments include acoustic and distorted cellos, pump organs and plenty of tasty woodwinds and shiny brass. Sometimes categorized as "fictional world music", this band guarantees a surprising listening experience.

CHORDS - IT WAS TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY (CD/DETOUR) Recorded live with the original line-up at St. George's Hall, Liverpool during Easter, 2000. The band delivered a perfect set of old greats, including 'Maybe Tomorrow', 'Something's Missing, 'Í'm Not Sure' and a special version of 'Twist & Shout' for all the Liverpudlians in the audience.

JENERATORS - REJENERATION (CD/PAISLEY ARCHIVES) The band's fourth full length, recorded live in the studio with a renewed line-up consisting of Steve Lynch (guitar and vocals), Mark Le Gallez (bass and vocals), Garrick Jones (sax and organ) and Ozzy is still ably powering the band along on drums. 'Rejeneration' is a very groovy album with a strong garage vibe, flashes of punk and of course plenty of mod and rock'n'roll influences. All this is topped of with a dash of psychedelia as Mark finally gets to wig out on his theremin.

ODYSSEY - ABYSMAL DESPAIR (CD/TRANSUBSTANS) A much anticipated debut album! Odyssey is a powerful trio from Sweden dealing in harsh and heavy stoner rock with great riffs and some additional noise and sludge for good measure. For fans of Electric Wizard, Eyehategod and Acrimony.

GOLDEN CUP - VAGABOND (LP/BLACKEST RAINBOW) Operating in a new 4-piece line up, Golden Cup reaches new levels of other-worldly psychedelia. Side A is taken up by a single 15-minute track, full of wild percussion and floating riffs. The second side features two tracks, of which the first one is totally tranced out with tribal percussion. The closing track combines all of the previous elements and more, and is totally "out there". Limited edition of 250 copies, cut at 45rpm for maximum fi-quality.

CENTRAL LIVING - DUNE CHURCH (LP/BLACKEST RAINBOW) Debut collaborative release from Manuel Padding and Steve Gunn (GHQ). Steve plays guitar with effects and Manuel is on electronics, vocals and percussion. 'Dune Church' offers two tracks'. 'The Original Mind Roti' is notable for some beautiful playing from Steve, which is reminiscent of his solo work and his GHQ collaborations with Marcia Bassett. This otherworldly track is layered with Manuel's electronics, fluctuating between psychedelic hazes and almost concrete walls of heavy drones. Side 2 features 'Stone Canoe', which has rapid cascading plucking merged with whirring electronics. These two 20 minute tracks should be played as loud as possible. Pressed in an edition of 300 on virgin vinyl.

KRUX - II (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Leif Edling is a legend in his own right! He's not only the father of one of the greatest doom bands of all time, namely Candlemass (and their predecessors Nemesis), but has also started several interesting side projects. One was Abstrakt Algebra, the other one is Krux. This new LP edition of 'll' comes in heavy gatefold sleeve with 4-page insert.

PHARAOH - BURY THE LIGHT (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Reissue of the 2003 debut album by this awesome heavy metal outfit, with a deliciously old fashioned approach. Pressed on clear vinyl and presented in gatefold sleeve.

JEFF GRACE - MEEK'S CUTOFF O.S.T. (10"/BLACKEST RAINBOW) Release on 10" of an excellent score for a 2010 movie. This soundtrack blends classical composition with drone and experimental avant garde music. The sounds composed by Jeff Grace are hypnotic, ambient and minimal, much like the deserted dust lands through which the characters in the film travel. Produced in a one-time edition of 250 hand numbered copies.

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

MAYFLY - MAYFLY (CD/BIG PINK MUSIC) It takes a Korean label to reissue one of the best Dutch albums ever! Mayfly was a progressive folkrock unit from the town of Bergen. In the period '72-'74 they released a couple of singles and this utterly tasteful (and now highly collectable) LP through Ariola Records. The album includes beautiful tracks, with equally fine arrangements (Left Banke- and Montage-fans, check out the exquisite cello and violin parts!), s.a. the superb single 'Topless Bertha' and the wonderful 'Symptons Of Summer', which is also featured on the popular CD-compilation 'Dutch Rare Folk'. A fascinating reissue!

ALI BIRRA - AMMALELE (LP/MISSISSIPPI-DOMINO SOUND) With the Western world's recent access to the Ethiopian music of the 1970's, the focus has been almost solely on the Amhara music of Addis Ababa. The Oromo people, the largest ethnic group, haven't been equally represented. Ali Birra, the biggest Oromo star and a hero to his people, was so beloved that he did manage to break into the Amhara dominated record market. Learning how to play the guitar using the tuning for an oud, the sound is as much Arabic as Ethiopian. He made these recordings with a prevalent joy and in a catchy sing along style, backed by the Aduu Birra Band. Ali sings songs of love, misery, and beating up the oppressor.

JOSEFUS - STATE OF THE UNION (CD/G-SPOT RECORDS) This is technically a solo CD by Josefus vocalist Pete Bailey, but drummer Leesa Harrington-Squyres does appear on several of the recordings. Pete expands his singing and songwriting styles in several directions here. The music features imaginative story-telling and many excellent performances by Pete and a number of Texas musicians who played on these sessions. Comes in 6 panel digipack.

ONLOOKERS - BLUE AND GREEN AND TANGERINE (CD/DETOUR) This disc offers no less than 19 fully restored tracks by a fine '60s influenced band from the UK, active in the early '80s. Somewhere between mod, garage and (at times) psychy pop, these songs sound the way they should have been heard back in 1981.

MANILLA ROAD - INVASION (LP/HIGH ROLLER) Vinyl reissue of Manilla Road's debut album, which marked an inauspicious start to one of the most prolific and underrated metal bands of all time. Comes in gatefold cover, with poster and inserts.

SELECTED PRESS QUOTES

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

GROUNDATION - BUILDING AN ARK (CD-LP/SOULBEATS)reviewed by Eddie Aarts for Heaven (translated excerpt) Compared to some of their previous work 'Building An Ark' sounds quite normal. Which, according to Groundation's standards, still is very good.

DEAN ALLEN FOYD - SOUNDS CAN BE SO CRUEL (LP-CD/CRUSHER)reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (excerpt) When I listened to this album at first I thought this was a reissue of some unknown rock band from the '70s. ...It is hard to believe, with such a powerful band sound, this this is basically only a trio. reviewed by Erik Groeneweg for Progwereld (translated excerpt) At first listen I thought this was another obscure find from the Esoteric label, a dusted recording from 1968 or something like that...

SUGARETTES - DESTROYERS OF WORLDS (CD/SUBROUTINE)reviewed by Niels Steeghs for KindaMuzik (translated excerpt) ...a record that speeds like a train. It's full of short, pointy, punkpop'ish tunes... Those who are disappointed by the latest Blood Red Shoes can give this one a try. reviewed by Joost Jan Meertens for Planet Trash (translated excerpt) ...a band that manages to blend noise and shoegaze into a tough record with a warm atmosphere.

60’s & 70’s & 80’s (RE-)RELEASES AND ARTISTS + OTHER OLDIES

COSMIC MICHAEL - COSMIC MICHAEL & AFTER A WHILE (CD/GEAR FAB)reviewed by Carry Munter for Carrysmusicmachine (translated excerpt) This Gear Fab-issue shows two different faces, but I like it and it definitely deserves a recommendation. reviewed by Gerald van Waes for Psyche van het Folk (excerpt) ...a slightly stoned version of electric blues, and one track of boogie blues.

GROUP 1850 - MOTHER NO-HEAD: THEIR 45'S (2LP/PSEUDONYM)reviewed by Robert Haagsma for Lust For Life/Revolver (translated excerpt) All their singles' sides are present, with additional demos and stereo versions. reviewed by René van Kaam for Platenblad (translated excerpt) ...in their early days they also were capable of writing fine tight rock songs.